We are pleased to announce the

2012 Cigar Box Guitar Builders Challenge!

The contest begins immediately. The deadline for submissions is December 31, 2012.

A winner will be announced the first part of January, 2012.

Last year, we didn't have a theme, but this year the theme will be:

Famous Monsters

This can be anything from Dracula, Frankenstein, or The Wolfman, to Predator, Alien, Leatherface, Godzilla, the list goes on. Pictures, images, scales, talons, teeth, all would be good components for a monstrous build! The monster does not necessarily have to be in a movie, but most likely will. If you have a subject monster that was in a book instead, feel free to use that.

We will have some great prizes too, more to follow...

Contest Rules:

• One submission per person.

• Each submission shall be an instrument of the builder's own construction and overall design.

• The instrument shall prominently and visibly feature a cigar box in the design.

• Each builder will submit up to five pictures of their creation.

• Entries must be submitted no later than midnight December 31, 2012.

• Builders will post the pictures of their instruments in the "Contest Submission Thread."

• Builders should include descriptions of their work, including any technical details such as features, materials used, or any other information they feel would assist the judges in reviewing the submission.

The judges will review the pictures and select a winner. The decision of the judges is final.

We will notify everyone of who the judges will be once we get that list finalized. We try to have 3-5 judges on the panel.

Do NOT post your entries or pictures in this thread!

There will be a separate thread for submissions so we can keep all the entries in one place.

Good luck and have fun!!

Here is a link to last year's contest in case you have not seen it yet.

2011 Builders Contest

PRIZE LIST

First Prize - $250 value

A pack of prize items from C. B. Gitty's Store worth at least $250

Second Prize - $125 value

A pack of prize items from C. B. Gitty's Store worth at least $125 in value

Third Prize - $75 value

A pack of prize items from C. B. Gitty's Store worth at least $75 in value

Fourth Prize - $50 value

A pack of prize items from C. B. Gitty's Store worth at least $50 in value

The Judges

JP Soars

JP Soars is an accomplished, award winning blues guitarist. JP along with his band, the Red Hots, has won the International Blues Challenge in Memphis Tennessee, as well as the Albert King award for most promising guitarist. His most recent album, More Bees With Honey was named the 2nd coolest CD of the year by Little Steven and his Underground Garage on XM Radio, and was in the top 5 click to pick on BB King's Bluesville on XM also. On stage, JP plays a 2 string slide CBG he made himself.

Tony Steidler-Dennison

Tony Steidler-Dennison returns again this year to help us judge. Tony is the creator and host of the free, long running Roadhouse Podcast. Tony has completed over 400 one hour shows of the Finest Blues You've Never Heard, and is a veritable encyclopedia of the blues.

Thomas Boatwright

Thomas Boatwright should be familar to most of you as the amazingly talented artist who has created the cover art for our CBN Christmas albums. Thomas is also a cigar box guitar enthusiast. Thomas specializes in monster related art projects, with many zombies and ghouls in his inventory. It is his artwork that adorns my Zeke Deadwood, Zombie Lawman guitar.

Thanks to these gentlemen for helping us out!!